Dan Housley – Kyndryl

Dan Housley didn’t follow a typical path into law—now that he’s here, he’s not interested in doing things the usual way. With a background in molecular biology and a formative stint as a medical technologist, Housley brings a rare blend of scientific precision and strategic curiosity to his work as an intellectual property attorney specializing in copyrights and transactions at Kyndryl. That combination has made him an essential part of a fast-growing global company, helping to redefine what legal support looks like in an age of digital transformation.

Dan Housley | Kyndryl | Associate Director – Copyrights & Transactions

Kyndryl Holdings, Inc. is one of the world’s largest IT infrastructure services providers, born from IBM’s 2021 spin-off of its infrastructure business. Headquartered in New York City, Kyndryl designs, builds, manages, and modernizes large-scale information systems globally for thousands of enterprise clients. The company supports critical systems for banks, airlines, retailers, and government agencies, ensuring uptime, cybersecurity, and technological agility at a massive scale. With over 80,000 employees in over 60 countries, Kyndryl is a key player in shaping how industries handle complexity, risk, and innovation.

It’s a fitting home for Housley, whose lifelong passion for computers, science, and logic makes him a natural partner for engineers and technologists navigating the tricky terrain of copyright, patents, and open-source software.

“I don’t think anybody gets into law without some love of logic, fairness, and wanting to make a difference,” Housley says. “For me, it’s also about helping businesses succeed by finding paths to yes—legally, ethically, and smartly.”

A career of curiosity

Before stepping into the legal world, Housley envisioned a life in science. He earned a cellular and molecular biology degree from Utah State University and spent time in a clinical reference laboratory in Salt Lake City, fascinated by the science behind medical testing. But the repetitive nature of lab work didn’t suit him. He was searching for something more dynamic that tapped into his interests in logic, technology, and public impact.

His introduction to intellectual property came through the story of a patented breast cancer gene. The concept that a single idea rooted in science could become protected intellectual property sparked his imagination. Encouraged by his friends and coworkers, Housley enrolled at Lewis & Clark Law School, where he began specializing in patent law.

“I never imagined myself at a place like IBM,” he says. “But when I interviewed, I told them how much of a computer nerd I was. Our first family computer was an IBM 8088—I’d stay up late fiddling with configuration files. That stuck with them.”

His first in-person interview after law school was with IBM—and he got the job. Over five years there, he drafted hundreds of patent applications, authored an internal patent claim drafting guide, and learned how to work at the intersection of innovation and law. It laid the foundation for his next challenge: building something new at Kyndryl.

Redefining IP & transactions

At Kyndryl, Housley steps into a more complex, cross-functional role. As an intellectual property attorney specializing in copyrights and transactions, he supports procurement, licensing, open-source risk assessment, and product development. Housley and his team ensure the associated intellectual property risks are well managed whenever the company purchases software or releases something that includes open-source components.

“Open source is a powerful tool, but it comes with strings,” he explains. “A copyleft license, for example, can force you to release modified code to the public. That’s fine sometimes—but not if you’re dealing with the company’s crown jewels.”

Housley helps the business navigate these risks without stifling innovation. His approach is practical: review licensing clauses and help steer stakeholders to workable solutions.

“We try hard to find a path to yes. But sometimes the only path to yes is just too painful for the business,” he says. “That judgment—knowing when to push and let go—comes with experience.”

Under his leadership, the company is streamlining its open-source clearance process and has introduced smarter patent drafting and prosecution systems. He’s also become the go-to legal expert for mobile app development—an emerging area for the company.

“When nobody else has the expertise and they come to you, it can be daunting,” he says. “But I dove in—webinars, secondary sources—I just kept learning until I felt confident.”

The power of giving back

Housley’s work isn’t just about systems and licenses. It’s also about people. As an adjunct professor at Lewis & Clark since 2020, he teaches patent drafting and supervises a clinic that provides patent services to small businesses. That, along with his leadership in intern programs and community outreach through the Oregon IP Alliance and the Leadership Council on Legal Diversity, has become one of the most meaningful parts of his career.

“Mentoring is my favorite part of the job,” he says. “Whether it’s law students, interns, or young professionals just entering the field, that one-on-one relationship can be so transformative—for them and me.”

Part of his motivation is personal. Growing up and even through law school, he lacked strong professional mentors. “I didn’t see many people who looked like me or shared my experiences,” he says. “Providing that to others, especially young LGBTQ+ professionals—is incredibly fulfilling.”

He credits mentors like Susan Felstiner, an attorney and educator who was one of the first people he could speak openly with about being gay in a professional setting. Now, he pays that forward—building inclusive spaces, fostering open dialogue, and encouraging vulnerability as a strength in leadership.

“Good leaders are willing to be vulnerable,” Housley says. “Whether that’s admitting a mistake, saying you’re struggling, or just showing up with empathy—it matters.”

He also mentors peers through co-leadership programs, co-mentoring cohorts, and personal relationships that stretch far beyond the legal world.

“I have former students I still talk to all the time—even ones who didn’t go into law,” he says. “It’s about the connection.”

The future of innovation

As Kyndryl scales its technology offerings, Housley continues to push the boundaries of how legal teams can act as business enablers. Whether it’s copyright strategy, software licensing, or patent development, he brings a rare blend of analytical rigor, scientific insight, and human-centered leadership to the table.

And even as his days are packed with contracts, code reviews, and client meetings, he still finds time for the things that bring him joy: gardening with his husband, mountain biking in the hills near their home, game nights with friends, and weekend trips to Powell’s Books in downtown Portland.

“I live just a mile south of Nike’s headquarters,” he says with a smile. “There are great trails nearby, and we’ve been really into growing our garden lately.”

It’s a balance that mirrors his career—a thoughtful, evolving blend of intellect, empathy, and impact. Whether mentoring a student, reviewing a mobile app license, or leading legal innovation at a Fortune 500 company, Housley shows what it means to build a career—and a company—based on curiosity, connection, and purpose.